University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels In NBA Playoffs Compilation
April 17, 2014 | Men's Basketball
With the NBA playoffs set to begin this weekend, here's a look at the Tar Heel influence on each series:
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (8): This might be the marquee Tar Heel series of the first round. The Spurs will start Danny Green, who has dropped in a career-high 33 points already this month and appears to be rounding back into the form that almost carried him to NBA Finals MVP last season. The Mavericks, meanwhile, have had a very productive year from Vince Carter, and Brandan Wright is one of their top reserves. Wayne Ellington is also on the Dallas bench.
When to watch: Sunday at 1 p.m. (TNT), 4/23 at 8 p.m. (NBATV), 4/26 at 4:30 p.m. (TNT), 4/28 at 9:30 p.m. (TNT).
Oklahoma City Thunder (2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (7): Ed Davis has seen sporadic playing time off the Memphis bench, scoring 5.7 points per game in approximately 15 minutes per game of action.
When to watch: Saturday at 9:30 p.m. (ESPN), 4/21 at 8 p.m. on TNT, 4/24 at 8 p.m. on TNT, 4/26 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Los Angeles Clippers (3) vs. Golden State Warriors (6). Reggie Bullock has seen limited time as a Clipper reserve and is unlikely to see significant time in this series. Harrison Barnes, on the other hand, was a playoff stalwart for the Warriors last year, and is coming off a career-high 30-point performance in the regular season finale. Barnes has been inconsistent this season, but appears to be peaking at the right time.
When to watch: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, 4/21 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT, 4/24 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT, 4/27 on 3:30 p.m. ABC.
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (5): No Tar Heels in this series, which means, of course, there is absolutely no reason to watch.
Eastern Conference
Indiana Pacers (1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (8): No Tar Heels in this series, which means, of course, there is absolutely no reason to watch.
Miami Heat (2) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (7). Well, Michael Jordan owns the Bobcats, and you can be sure there will be plenty of crowd shots of him if he's in town. Plus, you might catch a flimpse of some of the sweet new Hornets gear in advance of Charlotte's very wise name change.
When to watch: Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, 4/23 at 7 p.m. on TNT, 4/26 at 7 p.m. on ESPN, 4/28 at 7 p.m. on TNT.
Toronto Raptors (3) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6). Tyler Hansbrough is coming off 11 points and nine rebounds in the regular season finale. He played well against the Nets this year, averaging 10.5 points per game in two contests.
When to watch: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN, 4/22 at 8 p.m. on NBA TV, 4/25 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, 4/27 at 7 p.m. on TNT.
Chicago Bulls (4) vs. Washington Wizards (5): No Tar Heels in this series, which means, of course, there is absolutely no reason to watch.
